Definition of Hunger Strike

The human being needs to eat to stay alive, just like any other living being. This principle is fulfilled in the vast majority of cases, practically one hundred percent. However, there is an exception to this rule: the hunger strike.

A hunger strike consists of refusing to eat for a time as a gesture of protest or denunciation in relation to a situation considered unfair. This extreme position is given for some reason and in this sense it must be indicated that in most circumstances the hunger strike is carried out as a form of rebellion or opposition to something that is considered illegitimate, unfair or unacceptable. Several possible causes could be mentioned: as a measure of pressure before a injustice social protest, as a protest motivated by political reasons, to express the rejection of a sanction, to fight for ideals or to fight a threat.

In any case, it is a decision that symbolizes individual resistance to injustice. The objective of any hunger strike is to attract the attention of public opinion in order to change a situation, be it political, social or personal.

From a journalistic perspective, a hunger strike has a very notable social impact and this circumstance is known to the striker, who assumes the risk of losing his own life. However, also that indicating that the announcement of a hunger strike does not necessarily mean that there is an evident risk to health, since in certain cases it is a strategy calculated to get media attention for a few days.

Hunger strikes occur in extreme situations and are usually carried out by political prisoners, refugees, immigrants or individuals who consider that the decision not to eat is their most effective tool to fight for their convictions.

Brief historical brushstroke

The first hunger strike on record took place in ancient Egypt in 1166 BC. C during the reign of Ramses ll. The workers who built the pyramids made this decision because they demanded their salary and better working conditions. After tough negotiations, the workers saw their demands recognized and abandoned the strike food.

During the Industrial Revolution which began in Great Britain in the eighteenth century there were several episodes. Already in the 20th century, Gandhi's hunger strike as a protest against the colonialism British became a symbol in favor of the independence of India. Another historically significant moment occurred in 1981 when a group of Irish prisoners went on a hunger strike to pressure the government Margaret Thatcher (when the strike was called off, a total of 10 strikers had already died).

In the context of the Castro regime, some Cuban political prisoners have adopted this extreme measure and the same has happened in Venezuela in relation to the expropriation of property or as a tool to oppose the incarceration of prisoners for reasons politicians.

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